Engineer Boots, Harness Boots...

[Bfd70]

Hi all, I'm considering to buy Engineer boots and have done a lot of research on the internet but I'm not sure which brand offers the best in terms of contstruction quality, craftmanship, leather. I really like the RMC's cordovan boots (I always wanted to own cordovan boots) but these are very pricey and more expensive than competitors - not sure if they are worth the price. Number 1 for boots (even if they don't offer engineer boots) seems to be White Kloud, Japan (I don't have a chance to go to Goto-san's shop in Tokyo in the next 2-3 years) and number 2 RMC followed by number 3 - Clinch (I like these horsebutt boots - https://www.brass-tokyo.co.jp/onlineshop_en/item/clinch-engineer-boots/ ) and number 4 Viberg, John Lofgren and Wesco (all ranked number 4). Before ordering very expensive RMC cordovan or horsebutt, I wanted to ask you about your opinions and experience. Perhaps my ranking after my investigations is incorrect. Thank you in advance!

If you’ve never owned engineer boots my advise is to buy any pair cheap say sub $200. Wear them for 6 weeks and see if you like them. They really wear quite differently than lace ups which everyone is used to. I’ve been wearing them for the past year. My experience is that lace ups are much more versatile and practical. The problem is that engineer boots look cool AF. If after a trial period you decide they are for you then start looking at where to put your money.
One other caveat. Fit is infinitely more important than look or quality of construction. If they don’t fit it doesn’t matter if they’re made from the last unicorn, because you won’t be able to wear them. Different fits work for different peoples feet so soliciting opinions is HIGHLY subjective.

 

[Bfd70]

Trotsky lets get a look at them.

 

[bluesmandan]

Still liking the chips. Trying them out with gray slacks here instead of the usual denim.

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[Bfd70]

Imhave read several times where boot silhouettes are attributed to a particular decade. I.e. 1940’s silhouette. Can anyone comment on the differences in eras say 1930’s thru 1960’s? The reason i ask is because I (like expressed a few posts earlier by @Vintage style) prefer a wider toe area than most manufacturers seem to be producing. I should ammend that. I see the asthetic appeal of a flat, narrow toe but find taller wider to be more comfortable. I realized that from wearing my RW steel toe engineers. I believe Wesco makes a bump toe which would probably be similar.

 

[Bfd70]

WIWT

 

[Edward]

View attachment 152259 WIWT

Nice. I wodner if the red bit at the top is a nod to Lewis Leathers' boots?

 

[Dm101]

I've been trying on different Engineer styled boots, how the heck do you get rid of the heel lift in these things while still being able to extract your foot from them!?

This is the main reason I've stayed away from them since the cowboy boot days of 2nd grade...
Without some kind of kick-strap over the ankle I just don't see how they work without causing problems and blisters...

 

[Sloan1874]

You don't. You get a small amount lift at first, which reduces as the sole begins to conform to your feet. I've started breaking in a pair of Red Wing 2268s this week and after a bit of fiddling with the lower strap, they now grip my feet reasonably comfortably - still a bit of pinching but that'll fade - with just a small amount of lift that is already barely noticeable. I think a month of regular wear and they'll be just dandy.

 

[andy b.]

Dm101,

As Sloan said, you really never get rid of it. I have a pair of Wescos that I thought had too much lift and would cause problems. I figured I may as well wear them and see what happens. They are fairly well broken in, but still have noticeable heel lift. I've worn them on day trips to various cities where I've walked almost 10 miles and they were extremely comfortable. I do wear relatively thick wool socks with them.

 

[Dm101]

Thank you for the intel gentlemen.
Once I find a pair that fit snugly enough to not slip around too much if I have to run or climb...I'll be good to go.
Also for less than a pair of Doc 1460s...

 

[regius]

Hi all, just picked up a pair of vintage Engineer boots. Probably '50s or '60s judging from the construction. I have slathered them in pecards and plan on wearing them. Any suggestions to take care of them better? No, I do not know the brand, all that is worn off. Cats Paw heels with oil resistant soles. Thanks!

please do share photos.

 

[regius]

Robbie79, do be careful about the RMC boots, you may not be able to actually put them on, seriously. I have slim bone and small foot, I can squeeze in most pull on boots including the very tight RRL Julian, but I tried the RMC in their Manhattan store and it was a show, futile and I ended up giving up and walked out. The instep/shaft corner is way too tight, built for very slim Asian ankles and foot.

 

[handymike]

I agree that the look of a slimmer shaft is appealing, but when getting them on and off I'm thankful for the wider shaft of my Frye's.

 

[regius]

Imhave read several times where boot silhouettes are attributed to a particular decade. I.e. 1940’s silhouette. Can anyone comment on the differences in eras say 1930’s thru 1960’s? The reason i ask is because I (like expressed a few posts earlier by @Vintage style) prefer a wider toe area than most manufacturers seem to be producing. I should ammend that. I see the asthetic appeal of a flat, narrow toe but find taller wider to be more comfortable. I realized that from wearing my RW steel toe engineers. I believe Wesco makes a bump toe which would probably be similar.

Yes, the standard boss toe is roomy. Try ACE, Lone Wolf, they are all roomy, also the Whites Nomad with a toe box. To be honest, most engineer makers started offering different toe shapes since 30s, Red Wing started offering steel toe in the 40s. So the slim flat toe profile is not "typical" of the 30s-50s, round toe shapes did exist.

 

[Edward]

Dm101,

As Sloan said, you really never get rid of it. I have a pair of Wescos that I thought had too much lift and would cause problems. I figured I may as well wear them and see what happens. They are fairly well broken in, but still have noticeable heel lift. I've worn them on day trips to various cities where I've walked almost 10 miles and they were extremely comfortable. I do wear relatively thick wool socks with them.

Almost all engineers are a fit or so wide for me; I find a decent, arch-supporting insole sorts that out very swiftly. My first engineers - a heavy pair of Grinders with steel toe and uber-chunky command sole - used to blister me stupid if I walked any distance in them for years; tried a thick, comfort-rubber insole, and that solved it overnight.

 

[bluesmandan]

By “heel lift” do you fellas mean heel slip?

I find I get less heel slip with the engineer than I do with other slip on boots. I can use the strap to tighten up the instep and that does the trick.

I have a wide foot, but more in the forefoot than the ankle area, and wear an 8EEE or 8.5E. With regular slip on boots, if i can get my wide foot into the boot, then there ends up being too much room in the ankle area (heel slip becomes slop!). The engineer strap fixes that problem for me.

I loosen the strap to put the boot on, and then tighten it up once my foot is in. I also loosen the strap to remove the boot.


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[Dm101]

And that's the ultimate solution for me...the kick-strap. Whatever boot I buy HAS to have one.

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[regius]

RoleClub resoled Carolinas

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[Dm101]

I think I might be looking in the wrong place.
These are high end boutique boots for multi-hundreds of dollars.
I'm not that kinda guy to drop 500+ dollars of my money on something I'm going to be in the field with. Justifiable when the DoD is footing the bill...but I'm just not that green.
Sorry guys...I'm out.
*salute*

 

[bluesmandan]

I think I might be looking in the wrong place.
These are high end boutique boots for multi-hundreds of dollars.
I'm not that kinda guy to drop 500+ dollars of my money on something I'm going to be in the field with. Justifiable when the DoD is footing the bill...but I'm just not that green.
Sorry guys...I'm out.
*salute*

My Chippewa engineers were only $160.


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